I didn't say you are clueless, because most conspiracy theories have a least a few grains of truth to them. Anything you install can add services.
Just because you don't know what they are doesn't make them malware, adware, spyware, or anything of the sort. Normally, someone making the outlandish claims you have posted would be asked to provide proof, but I won't bother because I know you can't, with absolute certainty.

 

There is but you need an iLok dongle. You can then stop it from running and the plugins work fine. If you want updates, you'll need to re-enable it though. If you only use Internet authentication via iLok software without a dongle you are correct. It's not much different to the way Cubase legit, Studio One legit and ProTools legit work. They all need to authenticate time to time as do a large majority of apps now. I am not saying it's good but it is the way it is now.

 

nothing is 100% safe like any other system but i know what i have been through in the past, not only with my pc but also my router xbox, and other devices; you don't need to be a pro hacker or cybersecurity expert for that i also used exploits in the past i knew how to use netcat en create a revershell but thats a long time ago